Trolley for electrically-driven vehicles.



Y Patented Aug. l4, I900.

L. LOMBARD-GERIN. TROLLEY FOR ELECTRIGALLY DRIVEN VEHICLES.

(Application filed Jan. 9, X900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

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Patented Aug. l4, I900.

L. LUMBARD-GERIN.

TROLLEY FOB ELEGTRICALLY DRIVEN VEHICLES.

(Application filed Jan. 9. 1900.;

2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

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UNITE TATES I ATENT Erica.

LOUIS LOMBARD-GERIN, OF LYONS, FRANCE.

TROLLE-Y E-LEQT' RICALLY-DRIVEN VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 656,030, dated August14, 1900. Application filed January 9,1900. Serial No. 868. (No model.)

To all whom it mat concern:

Be it known that 1, Lotus L BARD-GER N, a citizen of the Republic ofFrance, residing at Lyons, France, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Automotor- Trolleys for Electrically-Driven Vehicles, ofV which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved arrangement of automotor-trolleysfor electrically-driven vehicles. I This kind of trolley orcurrent-taker is characterized by the fact that the current-collector isset in motion by its own motor independently of the vehicle (carriage,tram-car, boat, or the like) by which it is carried and to whichitbringsthe current from the wire or supply-line by means of a flexiblecable of variable lengt I The arrangement of automotor trolley whichforms the object of the present inven-.

views of the arrangemen tfor a like apparatus for triphase current.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the metallic conductors G G, of opposite polarity, arearranged parallel one to the other. They are supported at intervals byinsulated pieces mounted on posts. The automotor-trolley rests onconductors G G by means of two contact-rollers A B, traveling onoverhead wires and serving as current-takers. vided in its center withan insulation-piece. Below and parallel with the axle a a fixed shaft mis arranged, connected to the said axle by hinged rods C. The shaftm isalso springmounted and carries the electromotor M, actuating theantomotor-trolley. The motor M, working with triphase current, is formedof a fixed internal inductor in connection with wires conveying triphasecurrent and an armature concentric with the inductor. The armature, thecar-case of which may be, for instance, of aluminium, is mounted on theshaftm by the intermediary of ball-bearings. On its external surface twoiron rings at e are mounted which actuate directly by friction rollers DE, preferably of fiber, keyed on the Their axle a is prothe rings 61 eof the motor M and the frictionrollers D E tobe suitably regulated. Atthe lower partof the motor M an electromagnetic brake S is arrangedwhich has four brakeshoes 8, which bear upon the rings cl e, mounted onthe frame of the armature. This brake has for its object to prevent thetrolley running backward if it should be stopped on a gradient. Aflexible cable P, extending from the automotor-trolley to the vehicle,is connected with the said trolley by a suitable joint L, preferably ofthe Oardan pattern. At the lower part of this suspension device or jointa sleeve I is fixed by means of a hinge t, which sleeve retains the endof the flexible cable P. Owing to this arrangement this cable mayoscillate in all directions.

In the apparatus just described the cable P comprises the followingwires under one casing: first, wires conveying continuous cu rrent tothe motor of the vehicle, which current is collected by the rollers A B;secondly, wires conveying triphase current to the motor M of thetrolley, which current is collected from the motor of the vehicle fed inthe manner hereinafter mentioned; thirdly, wires bringing continuouscurrent to the trolley for operating the electromagnetic brake S. Themeans of operating this brake must evidently be under the hand of theconductor of the vehicle. The current being discharged into the magneticcoil of the'brake S, the brakeshoes 3, which are preferably of iron,become magnetized and are pressed against the rings d e, which close thecircuit. The shoes 5 are provided with little brass soles, forming anintermediate piece between the iron and intended to facilitate thereleasing of the brakes of the shoes from the brake-rings when thecurrent-circuit is broken.

The following is the manner in which the triphase current feeding themotor M of the trolley is collected and how a synchronism between thespeed of this automotor-trolley and that of the vehicle is obtained. Themotor of this vehicle is fed, as hereinbefore stated, with continuouscurrent collected by the rollers A B of the trolley and which isconveyed by wires lodged or contained in the flexible cable P. It isthis motor which engenders the triphase current serving for operatingthe motor M of the trolley. For this object the motor of the vehicle isprovided with three rings, connected at three suitable points selectedon the winding of the armature. Three brushes bearing on the said ringscollect the triphase current, which is conveyed to the motor M of thetrolley by three conductors, grouped also in the casing of the cable P,as has been already stated. Under these conditions the number of phasesof the triphase current collected on the motor of the vehicle beingstrictly proportionate to the number of revolutions which the said motormakes it is evident that the motor M will have a speed which will beitself proportionate to the speed of progression of the vehicle. Thewires bringing the triphase current to the motor M reach the latter bythe center of the shaft m. Thus without the intervention of theconductor a synchronism is realized which has for its consequence torender equal the speeds of the automotor-trolley and of the vehiclesupplied.

It is evident that the arrangement of the automotor-trolley which hasjust been de scribed may be utilized with currents requiring more thantwo wires for their transmission, particularly in the case of triphasecurrent.

Figs. 3 and at show the means for practically carrying out thearrangement hereinbefore described when applied to triphase current. Theapparatus is identically the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2; but itis combined with a third roller 0, intended to travel along a thirdcurrent-conductor G This roller 0 is mounted on an axle 0, located in akind of frame in firm connection with the apparatus proper by means ofsprings R, which enable the said roller to rise or descend, according tothe position and pitch of the upper overhead wire G A spiral spring Tserves to regulate the apparatus. Of course in order to convey to thevehicle the triphase current collected by the rollers AB C of theautomotor-trolley on the overhead wires G G G2 it is necessary to havethree wires, which are grouped in the flexible cable P.

It will be noticed that in the arrangement just described the triphasecurrent will feed, on the one hand, the motor of the vehicle and, on theother hand, the motor M of the trolley. There will be no longer anecessity of engenderin g triphase current on the motor of the Vehicle,seeing that it is triphase current itself which is distributed, andunder these conditions the synchronism of the speeds of these twoseparate apparatuses will be found to be established by the force ofcircumstances.

As regards the electromagnetic brake S, it is evident that it'may alsobe operated by means of current arising from batteries carried on thevehicle, (Whether carriage, tramcar, boat, or the like.)

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is 1. An automotor-trolley comprising an apparatns providedwith a shaft having contactrollers adapted to travel on conductorsinsulated one from another, the said apparatus having a motor possessinga fixed inductor and a movable armature, the periphery of which directlyactuates friction-rollers on the shaft of the said contact-rollers, incombination with a flexible cable which conveys the current to the motorof the vehicle, substantially as hercinbefore described.

2. In'an automotor-trolley the combination of a motor, a shaft driventhereby and carrying contact-rollers adapted to travel on insulatedconductors, with a third contact-roller traveling on a thirdconducting-wire, the said third roller being carried by spring-rods Rsubject to the action of a spring T, substantially as described.

3. In an automotor-trolley, a motor having a fixed inductor and amovable armature, in combination with an electromagnetic brake adaptedto act on and arrest the said movable armature, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS LOMBARD-GERIN.

\Vitnesses:

JOSEPH DELAGE, EDWARD P. MAOLEAN.

